China Travel Forum

[Walter]

I am wondering if anyone can shed some light and/or share their experiences on doing business in China/ Shanghai? I am planing a business trip to Shanghai region and think this will be useful to know. More specifically i am intrested in knowing about the business cultrue in China. For example, how does on go about sourcing product from manufacturers there? Is it true that there are commercial offices at the major airports with loads of sourcing information? Are the Chinese tough or fair negotiators? Cultural faux-pas? what is proper business attire? How can know if im buying at the best prices? Is a translator required? There are so many things in my mind that I am eager to read about your vast experiences. Thanks in advance.

Cheers

[Bert]

Interesting. My company has an office in Shanghai and on my last trip there, we went on some customer visits. We SELL in China, rather than BUY, so my experience may be different than the posters above related. We did not wear suits to visit our prospects since the prospects didn't and the conclusion was that it might be viewed as an insult if we overdressed! Our prospects were happy to accept my English language business card. We didn't remove our shoes on our visits.
I don't think I'd rely on there being an English speaker at the places you might visit. Even if they existed, how can you rely on them? They work for the people you are contacting, so there is every incentive for them NOT to give you accurate information. Interpreters aren't that expensive in China, although you will probably run through several before you find some that are good to use.
At the U.S. embassy, you can expect to find people in the commercial attache's office who want to help you, but you can also expect that they won't know much that CAN help you, once you get beyond the basics.
Extensive bargaining, very possibly over several sessions, seems to be a way of life in China. My impression is that Chinese businessmen will view any buyer as a candidate to make them rich in a single transaction, and will start by quoting you absurd prices. Only over time can you establish a decent relationship.